Devices and methods for portable, adjunctive vacuum source and cytology/histology collection systems for biopsy

ABSTRACT

A universal, self-contained, self-powered, compact, external vacuum source and cytology or cytology and histology collection, storage, preservation and transport system device may be configured to couple to any suitable generic biopsy or interventional device. Embodiments may comprise structures and functionality for the addition of such a portable, compact, self-contained, self-powered, universal vacuum and cytology/histology collection module to biopsy or interventional devices. Embodiments may be portable, disposable or reusable and may be electrically, mechanically and/or manually powered and operated. Embodiments may additionally provide structures and functionality for use with other vacuum and/or cytology or histology collection systems to which this system may itself be attached.

BACKGROUND

There is a need for portable, adjunctive, universally adaptable,self-contained, internally or self-powered and compact vacuum andcytology collection systems for soft and hard tissue biopsy and otherinterventional medical devices.

SUMMARY

A universal external vacuum source with an integrated cytology orcytology and histology collection system described herein, according toembodiments described herein, may be adapted and attached directly to ageneric biopsy device to provide vacuum to such a device in order toenhance such generic biopsy device's performance characteristics forcollection and internal transport of tissue specimens obtained by thebiopsy device, while at the same time collecting cytology (liquids andloose cells or tissue fragments) collected from the target tissue beingbiopsied, for direct pathologic characterization and correlation to thehistologic specimens (solid tissue obtained from a target lesion ortissue site) obtained by the biopsy device to which such a universalvacuum and cytology collection system may be attached. According toadditional embodiments, a universal external vacuum source and cytologycollection system device may also incorporate additional elements suchas a universal, filtered solid tissue specimen collection magazine orvessel, in which embodiments the external vacuum and cytology collectionsystem may also be considered a universal, self-contained, self-poweredexternal vacuum source and cytology and histology collection, storageand transport system, which may also be adapted and attached directly toa generic biopsy device to provide vacuum to such a device as well ascapture both cytology and histology from such a generic biopsy device.Embodiments are drawn to medical devices and methods that are used forprovision of vacuum and cytology collection for tissue biopsy andinterventional medical devices. Embodiments may comprise structures andfunctionality for the addition of a portable, compact, universal vacuumand cytology collection module to biopsy or interventional devices.Embodiments may be portable, disposable or reusable and may beelectrically, mechanically and/or manually powered and operated.Furthermore, embodiments may also provide structures and functionalityfor use with other vacuum and/or cytology or histology (solid tissue)collection systems to which this system may itself be attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an angled side view of a vacuum and cytology collection device10 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective angled and exploded side view of main structuralcomponents of a vacuum and cytology collection device 10, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective angled and exploded side view of main structuralcomponents of a vacuum and cytology collection device 10, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an angled rear view of the main body structural element of avacuum and cytology collection device 10, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an angled side view of a separate generic specimen collectionchamber of a separate, generic biopsy device to which a vacuum andcytology collection device 10 may be attached, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an angled side view of a vacuum and cytology collection device10 placed over a generic specimen collection chamber of a separate,generic biopsy device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an angled, transparent, rear view of a vacuum and cytologycollection device 10, placed over a generic specimen collection chamberof a separate, generic biopsy device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a vacuum and cytology collection device 10according to one embodiment, placed over the specimen collection chamberof a separate biopsy device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the construction and operationof implementations of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The following description is only exemplary of the embodimentsdescribed and shown herein. The embodiments, therefore, are not limitedto these implementations, but may be realized by other implementations.Indeed, although the figures are variously described as showing “anembodiment” or characterized as being “according to embodiments”, all ofthe structures and associated functionalities may be present in a singledevice or one or more of the structures and associated functionalitiesmay be omitted from one device or present in another device.Alternatively, some of the structures and functionalities shown anddescribed herein may be included in some devices according to one ormore embodiments, while other structures and functionalities shown anddescribed herein may be included in in or more other devices accordingto embodiments. Similarly, the acts or steps shown and described hereinmay form a single embodiment of a single method or some acts or stepsmay be added or omitted in other sequences to form one or moreembodiments of one or more other disclosed methods.

The vacuum and cytology collection device disclosed herein is configuredand functions as a source of vacuum and cytology or liquid collectionapparatus in conjunction with a biopsy device or other interventionaldevice as may be used for tissue and/or cytology collection toappropriately and accurately characterize and capture tissue and liquidsfor subsequent pathologic analysis, according to various methods andembodiments. As such, the vacuum and cytology collection devicedescribed herein is compatible with a variety of generic tissuecollection devices.

Reference will now be made in detail to the construction and operationof embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an angled side view of a vacuum and cytology collection device10 according to one embodiment. As shown, device 10 may comprise a frontplate element 11, a rear plate element 12, an external evacuation port13, a battery and vacuum pump compartment 14, a generic specimen chamberaperture element 15 and a main body element 22. Device 10 is aself-contained, portable, adaptable, self-powered vacuum and cytologycollection system, which may itself be variously adapted to fit any of avariety of generic biopsy or interventional medical devices to which itmay be attached. Herein, the phrase “generic biopsy device” and variantsthereof is used to convey that the present vacuum, cytology and/orhistology collection device may be readily adapted to be coupled to mostany biopsy or interventional device from any manufacturer. As such, thepresent device is a universal vacuum and cytology collection device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective angled and exploded side view of the mainstructural components of the vacuum and cytology collection device 10,according to one embodiment. In this illustration, device 10's mainstructural elements may include the main, outer body element 22 having aco-axially-disposed inner wall 21 and an outer wall 20, the battery andpump compartment 14 and aperture 15; the rear plate element 12 with itsexternal exhaust port 13 and a half channel 17A; and the front plate 11.The inner wall 21 is an outer surface of an inner tubular elementco-axially-disposed within the tubular main body element. The followingillustrations will more specifically describe these elements, accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective angled and exploded side view of main structuralcomponents of a vacuum and cytology collection device 10, according toone embodiment. In this view, the rear plate element 12, with itsexternal evacuation port 13 may be seen separated from the main bodyelement 22. Rear plate element 12 is configured to seal against the rearsurface of the outer wall 20 of the main body element 22, in such amanner as to allow vacuum to be drawn from an internal vacuum pump, (notshown in this figure) located at the rear of the battery and vacuum pumpcompartment 14, through vacuum port 19 and vacuum channel port 17, withits half channel 17B illustrated in this figure, to a vacuum connectionthat may be integral with inner wall 21 of main body element 22. Frontplate element 11 is configured to seal against both the outer wall 20and inner wall 21 of main body element 22 to form a vacuum and liquidtight seal facing between the inner and outer walls of main body element22. Outer wall 20 of main body element 22, in conjunction with innerwall 21 thus forms a fluid and tissue collection chamber around device10's aperture 15, as shown in FIG. 1 above. Not shown in this figure isa corresponding half channel 17A of vacuum channel port 17, which isintegral with rear plate 12's inner surface, and as was previously shownin FIG. 2 above. Thus, when the rear plate 12 is sealed against the mainbody element 22 of outer wall element 20, the two half channels 17A and17B will be mated and sealed to form a vacuum and liquid tight vacuumchannel port 17 so that vacuum may be imparted from a vacuum pumplocated in battery and pump compartment 14, through vacuum port 19allowing suction from vacuum channel port 17 to the intake of the vacuumpump, to a generic biopsy device specimen collection chamber, not shownin this figure. Although not visible in this figure, the main bodyelement 22 may be configured with a short inner extension of the innerwall 21, through which vacuum channel port 17 passes, which short innerextension may be configured with a short internal connection luer orextension in order to mate with the exhaust port of a generic biopsydevice's specimen collection chamber according to one embodiment; oralternatively mate with the exhaust port of a generic specimencollection chamber as an integral element structure of device 10, whichmay itself then mate to a generic biopsy device, according to otherembodiments. This inner wall internal connection may be fitted with atube and connection to vacuum channel port 17 which may then allow forthe device 10 to be fitted to virtually any generic biopsy orinterventional instrument or device, according to embodiments andmethods. As may be envisioned by one skilled in the art, device 10'sconfiguration may readily be adapted by any of a number of methods to ageneric biopsy device for purposes of the provision of vacuum andcytology collection capability, as well as histology (solid tissuespecimens) collection capability, and all such methods and structuresare considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Exhaust port element 18 is located at the rear end of battery and pumpcompartment 14, and allows liquids drawn through the vacuum pump to beejected into the fluid and tissue collection chamber formed betweeninner wall 21 and outer wall 20, when front plate 11 and rear plate 12are mated and sealed to the main body element 22. It should be notedthat external evacuation port 13 of rear plate 12 does not mate directlyto the vacuum pump's exhaust port element 18 when the rear plate 12 ismated and sealed to the main body element 22. The vacuum pump's exhaustport element 18 thus delivers liquids and/or gasses directly to thefluid and tissue collection chamber, while external evacuation port 13serves as a structure for emptying the from the fluid and tissuecollection chamber or for connecting to an additional, external vacuumsource and cytology collection system, according to embodiments.According to embodiments, the external evacuation port 13 may be fittedwith an external luer or press-fit connection to, for example, anexternal one way valve, a simple valve or a pressure relief valve toallow any air in the fluid and tissue collection chamber of device 10 toescape as liquids may be collected by device 10. A simple tube may alsobe connected to external evacuation port 13 to allow for cytologycollection to an external vacuum source and liquid collection apparatusor vessel in the event that the device 10's fluid and tissue collectionchamber's volume is exceeded. External evacuation port 13 may also beused to empty cytology fluids into a container for pathologicexamination. The external evacuation port 13 may also be configured toreceive a cap seal, according to embodiments. The external evacuationport 13 may also be configured to be fitted with an apparatus for backflushing liquids as may be desired.

Thus, a generic biopsy instrument's specimen collection chamber (notshown in this illustration) which may be placed internally to device10's aperture 15 as shown in FIG. 1 above, and sealed internally tovacuum channel 17, may be subject to vacuum and liquid collection forcesimparted to such a generic biopsy device specimen (collection) chamberby vacuum channel port 17. Alternatively, vacuum channel port 17 may befitted with an appropriate tube or other connection for connection tothe specimen collection chamber of a generic biopsy device. In suchmanner, even a generic biopsy device that is not originally configuredfor specimen collection using vacuum assistance may be converted to avacuum assisted device in conjunction with the use of device 10.Further, once device 10 has collected cytology as a result of its use inconjunction with a generic biopsy or interventional instrument, device10 may be separated from the generic biopsy device's specimen collectionsystem, and be itself sealed at both rear plate 12 by, for example, acap placed over external evacuation port 13 of rear plate 12, andinternally with an appropriate closing mechanism for vacuum port 17.Liquids that have been captured between inner wall 21 and outer wall 20of device 10 may thus be transferred along with a generic specimencollection system or simply by carrying the device 10 alone to apathology laboratory intra-operatively or post-operatively for analysisand direct correlation with any tissue specimens obtained by a genericbiopsy or interventional device used in conjunction with device 10. Itshould also be noted that external evacuation port 13 provides directaccess to the cytology or fluid and/or tissue collection chamber ofdevice 10, and thus fixative materials of any nature may be directlyadded to the collected liquid and cytology post-procedurally in order topreserve the cytology before or after transfer of the liquid thuscaptured to a pathology laboratory for subsequent analysis, as desired.

FIG. 4 is an angled rear view of the main body structural element 22 ofa vacuum and cytology collection device 10, according to one embodiment.In this illustration, the inner wall 21 and outer wall 20 may beobserved, and the (at least partially toroidal or doughnut-shaped, inone embodiment) space between these walls may serve as the cytologycollection chamber of device 10. The volume thus circumscribed for fluidand cytology collection may be approximately 60 cubic centimeters,although it is to be understood that a smaller or larger volume metricof any range may be associated with this cytology collection chamber ofdevice 10, according to embodiments. Also visible in this figure are thebattery and pump compartment 14, the vacuum port 19 and exhaust port 18for the vacuum pump (not shown in this illustration) corresponding tovacuum pump intake and exhaust, respectively, and the half channel 17Bwhich has been previously described.

FIG. 5 is an angled side view of a separate generic specimen collectionchamber 40 of a separate, generic biopsy device to which a vacuum andcytology collection device 10 may be attached, according to oneembodiment. Although the generic specimen collection chamber thusillustrated in this figure is similar or identical to a syringe bodywhich may be used for such purposes, it is to be understood that genericbiopsy and other interventional devices may feature alternateconfigurations for purposes of specimen collection and preservation.According to one embodiment, the device 10 may be configured to beuniversally adaptable to a generic biopsy device by appropriateconnections, and all such configurations are considered to be within thescope of this discussion. Alternatively, the device 10 may beespecially-configured for connection to a specified biopsy device. Alsoillustrated in this figure is a generic connection or interface port 41to a generic biopsy device, which may serve as a connection to a genericspecimen collection chamber 40, and generic vacuum or connection port 42of a generic specimen collection chamber which may be associated with ageneric biopsy device.

According to one embodiment, device 10 may include a detachablestructure such as shown in this figure. In such an embodiment, thespecimen collection chamber 40 with its luer connection 42 integral toits structure may be connected directly to the vacuum channel 17 bysliding it inside of the specimen chamber aperture 15 of FIG. 1 and asfurther described in FIG. 3 above. In this embodiment, specimencollection chamber 40 may internally include a screen or tissue captureelement configured to trap solid tissue specimens while still allowingliquids to flow through the vacuum pump of device 10 to the fluid andtissue collection chamber of device 10. In this embodiment, element 41may be thought of as a universal interface block for connection ofdevice 10 to a generic biopsy device. Universal interface block 41 maycomprise structures for sealing to specimen collection chamber 41, aswell as locking to the specimen collection chamber, and may alsocomprise structures such as a luer connection or pierce-able seal orother connection structure at its outside or external face forconnection to another device such as a generic biopsy device. Elementsof this figure, as shown assembled, may thus form a detachable solidtissue specimen collection chamber of device 10. Device 10, in suchembodiment, may itself be configured as a complete, universal,self-contained, self-powered external vacuum source with both cytology(liquids) and histology (solid tissue specimens) collection, storage,preservation and transport capabilities. Thus configured, device 10 maybe readily adapted for use with any generic biopsy device, whether ornot such a generic biopsy device itself has structure for cytologyand/or histology collection and/or transport of captured tissue andliquids to a specimen collection chamber.

FIG. 6 is an angled side view of a device 10 placed over a generictissue specimen collection chamber 40 of device 10 itself, according toone embodiment, or of a separate, generic biopsy device, according toanother embodiment. As discussed above relative to FIG. 5, such ageneric specimen collection chamber 40 may be adapted to fit within theaperture 15 formed by device 10's inner wall 21. As also previouslydiscussed above, such a generic specimen collection chamber 40 of ageneric biopsy device may be coupled to device 10 by any of a number ofconnection configurations if such generic specimen collection chamber 40is not of a size or configuration to fit within device 10. As discussedabove for FIG. 5, a generic biopsy device's generic connection port 41may serve as a port for access to such a device's specimen collectionchamber 40. In this illustration, device 10 is shown fully assembledwith front plate 11, rear plate 12 with its external exhaust port 13,and a battery and vacuum pump compartment 14 with a battery or batteries25 inserted in close proximity to a vacuum pump (not visible in thisillustration), as well as a universal interface block 41, shown detachedfrom the specimen collection chamber 40, according to embodiments. Thespecimen collection chamber 40 may be fitted to and seal to such auniversal interface block 41, both of which may be considered elementsof device 10, or may serve as a connection to a generic biopsy device,according to embodiments. Not shown in this figure is an internal screenmechanism for specimen collection chamber 40, configured to separatesolid tissue specimens from liquids and to maintain such solid tissuespecimens within the specimen collection chamber 40 while allowing theliquids to pass to the vacuum pump of device 10. In such an embodiment,device 10 is a universal, self-contained, self-powered, external vacuumsource and both cytology and histology collection, storage, preservationand transport device for use with any generic biopsy device.

FIG. 7 is an angled, transparent, rear view of a vacuum and cytologycollection device 10, placed over device 10's integral, detachablespecimen collection chamber 40, or alternatively over a generic specimencollection chamber 40 of a separate, generic biopsy device (not shown inthis illustration), according to embodiments. In this illustration, aspecimen collection chamber 40 of device 10 itself or of a genericbiopsy device may be seen, with its discharge connected to vacuum port17 of rear plate 12 to the right side of the illustration. Also visiblein this illustration is battery or batteries 25 and integral vacuum pump24 within the battery and vacuum pump compartment 14 of device 10,according to embodiments. For illustrative purposes, device 10's vacuumpump interface block 27 may also be seen through a transparent batteryand vacuum pump compartment 14, with corresponding embossed arrowsreferencing intake and exhaust connections between the vacuum pump 24and interface block 27, according to one embodiment. It may be seen thatthe arrow on interface block 27 pointing toward vacuum pump 24 alsocorresponds to vacuum channel 17 through vacuum port 19 of rear plate12, and thus it may be easily envisioned that the vacuum pump 24 maydraw vacuum directly from generic specimen collection chamber 40 andthat air or liquids may be discharged from vacuum pump 24 throughinterface block 27 with its exhaust port 18 to the cytology collectionchamber between inner wall 21 and outer wall 20 of device 10, accordingto methods and embodiments. External exhaust port 13 of rear plate 12may also be seen in this illustration, and may be envisioned as an exitport for eventual emptying of the cytology collection chamber of device10, as discussed above, and according to methods and embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a vacuum and cytology collection device 10placed over the specimen collection chamber 40 of a separate, genericbiopsy device 50, according to one embodiment. From this illustration,it is to be understood that device 10 has been configured to function asa universal, self-contained, self-powered, compact, portable vacuumsource and cytology, or cytology and histology, collection, storage,preservation and transport system for generic biopsy and otherinterventional medical device instruments, as may be desired and towhich it may be adapted, according to methods and embodiments herein.

It is to be understood that any foregoing dimensions discussed andindeed any dimensions referred to herein are exemplary in nature only.Those of skill in this art will recognize that other dimensions and/orconfigurations may be implemented, depending upon the application, andthat the elements of the device 10 could be of any length or dimension,all of which are considered within the scope of this disclosure.Furthermore, any discussion of dimensions or ranges of dimensions orphysical or dynamic aspects such as flow rates or ranges of motion ortime factors outlined herein are exemplary in nature only and should notbe considered to be limiting.

The entire device 10 may be configured to be disposable or may beconfigured to be reusable in whole or in part. Embodiments of thepresent device may be electrically powered by one or more batteriesand/or external power sources through a simple electrical coupling toconnect to an external power supply conveniently placed, for example, inthe handle or proximal end of the present biopsy device. The entiredevice may also be internally or externally manually powered,mechanically powered or be powered by means such as compressed air, gas,vacuum systems or pressurized fluid. Powering the device entirelymechanically may be advantageous in areas in which the electric grid isabsent, unavailable, or unreliable.

One embodiment is a method of carrying out a biopsy or interventionalprocedure with a generic biopsy device to which device 10 describedherein is attached. Device 10 may be connected to such a generic biopsydevice directly or via a connection system of any appropriateconfiguration and structure. The device 10 may then power to device 10'svacuum pump to allow vacuum to be applied to the generic biopsy device,along with collection of fluids and cytology as may be discharged fromthe generic biopsy device to device 10, as discussed above. Device 10may be exchanged for a spare device 10 intra-operatively, as may bedesired by an operator, by simply removing it from its interfaceconnection with a generic biopsy device and replacing the previousdevice 10 with a spare device 10. Alternatively, device 10's externalexhaust port 13 may be used to connect device 10 to an additional vacuumsource or containment vessel of larger size than device 10's cytologycollection chamber, as may be desired, and according to various methods,all of which are considered to be within the scope of this discussion.

It is to be understood that the above descriptions are but exemplarymethodologies and that one or more of the steps described above may beomitted, while other steps may be added thereto to any of theseembodiments, depending on the target site within the body. Otheroperator method embodiments and device embodiments are supported aswell. The order of some of the steps may additionally be changed,according to the desired procedure.

The present device may be formed of or comprise one or morebiocompatible or other materials such as, for example, stainless steelor other biocompatible alloys, and may be made of, comprise or be coatedwith polymers, such as polycarbonate, PEEK, tubing, polyimide, and/orbiopolymer or other polymer materials as needed to optimize function(s).Some of the components may be purposely surface-treated differentiallywith respect to adjacent components, as detailed. The various internalor external elements of device 10 may be made of any suitable,commercially available materials such as nylons, polymers such asmoldable plastics, and others. If used, the motor or vacuum pumppowering the various powered functions of the present vacuum andcytology collection device 10 may be a commercially available electricDC motor. The handle or outer surface of the present device may likewisebe made of or comprise inexpensive, injection-molded plastic or othersuitable rigid, easily hand held strong and light-weight material. Thehandle or outer device configuration may be configured in such a way asto make it easily adaptable to or compatible with one of any number ofexisting guiding platforms, such as stereotactic table stages. Thematerials used in the present device may also be carefully selected froma ferro-magnetic standpoint, such that the present device maintainscompatibility with MRI equipment.

The power source may comprise an external commercially available AC toDC transformer approved for medical device use and plugged into aprovided socket in the present biopsy device, or may comprise anenclosed battery or batteries of any suitable and commercially availablepower source. The battery may be of the one-time use disposable (andoptionally recyclable) variety, or may be of the rechargeable variety.Additionally, other power sources, for example, mechanical linkages orcompressed air motors, may be used.

While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novelmethods, devices and systems described herein may be embodied in avariety of other forms and other applications. All such otherapplications making use of the principles disclosed herein for thisdevice and that could be envisioned by one skilled in the art aretherefore considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form ofthe methods and systems described herein may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that in various embodiments, theactual physical and logical structures and dimensions thereof may differfrom those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certainsteps described in the example above may be removed, others may beadded. Also, the features and attributes of the specific embodimentsdisclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additionalembodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Although the present disclosure provides certain preferredembodiments and applications, other embodiments that are apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments which do notprovide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are alsowithin the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is intended to be defined only by reference to theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a tubular main bodyelement; an inner tubular element co-axially disposed within the tubularmain body element and spaced away therefrom, the inner tubular elementbeing configured to receive a specimen collection chamber of a syringeof a biopsy device; a fluid and tissue collection chamber defined by aspace extending at least partially between an inner wall of the tubularmain body element and an outer wall of the inner tubular element; avacuum pump that is attached to the tubular main body element thatcomprises an exhaust port; and a sealed vacuum channel disposed betweenthe inner tubular element and the vacuum pump, the vacuum pump beingconfigured to draw at least one of fluid and tissue from the specimencollection chamber through the sealed vacuum channel, out of the exhaustport and into the fluid and tissue collection chamber.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is externally powered.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is battery-powered.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a battery and vacuumpump compartment comprising the vacuum pump and configured toaccommodate at least one battery that is configured to power the vacuumpump.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the battery and vacuum pumpcompartment is configured to accommodate two batteries side by side. 6.The device of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pump compartment thatis bounded by an extent of the tubular main body element and that isattached to the tubular main body element, the vacuum pump compartmentbeing configured to house the vacuum pump and a power source for thevacuum pump.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular main bodyelement is shaped as a cylinder over at least a portion of its extent;the inner tubular element is shaped as a cylinder over at least aportion of its extent; and the fluid and tissue collection chamber isshaped as a nest cylinder shape over at least a portion of its extent.8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an interface blockconfigured to lock the specimen collection chamber of the syringe to afirst end of the device when the specimen collection chamber is receivedin the inner tubular element.
 9. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising an interface block configured to radially orient and lock inan orientation the specimen collection chamber of the syringe to a firstend of the device when the specimen collection chamber is received inthe inner tubular element.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealedvacuum channel is oriented substantially perpendicularly to an axis ofthe tubular main body element and of the inner tubular element.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the sealed vacuum channel comprises a firsthalf vacuum channel disposed between the inner tubular element and thevacuum pump and wherein the device further comprises a rear plateconfigured to attach to a second end of the device and comprising asecond half vacuum channel that is configured to form the sealed vacuumchannel when the rear plate is attached to the second end of the device.12. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealed vacuum channel comprisesone or more inlet ports spaced to impart vacuum on the tubular mainbody.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the exhaust port is furtherconfigured to enable emptying the fluid and tissue collection chamberand is further configured to be coupled to at least one of an externalvacuum source and an external fluid and tissue collection system.
 14. Amethod, comprising: providing a collection device comprising a tubularmain body element, an inner tubular element co-axially disposed withinthe tubular element and spaced away therefrom, a fluid and tissuecollection chamber defined by a space extending at least partiallybetween an inner wall of the tubular main body element and an outer wallof the inner tubular element and a vacuum pump attached to the tubularmain body element, the inner tubular element being configured to receivea specimen collection chamber of a syringe; coupling the collectiondevice to the specimen collection chamber of the syringe; and turningthe vacuum pump on and drawing at least one of fluid and tissue from thespecimen collection chamber of the syringe into the fluid and tissuecollection chamber of the collection device through a sealed vacuumchannel.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the syringe is part of abiopsy device and wherein coupling comprises coupling the collectiondevice to the biopsy device.
 16. The method of claim 14, whereincoupling comprises inserting the specimen collection chamber of thesyringe into the inner tubular element until an aperture of the specimencollection chamber is in fluid communication with the sealed vacuumchannel.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprisingintra-operatively removing the collection device from the specimencollection chamber of the syringe.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising providing a spare exemplar of the collection device of claim9 and wherein the method further comprises intra-operatively couplingthe spare exemplar of the collection device to the specimen collectionchamber of the syringe.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprisingpowering the vacuum pump from an external power source.
 20. The methodof claim 14, further comprising powering the vacuum pump from a battery.21. The method of claim 14, wherein the collection device comprises abattery and vacuum pump compartment comprising the vacuum pump andconfigured to accommodate at least one battery that is configured topower the vacuum pump.
 22. The method of claim 14, further comprisingconnecting the collection device to an external vacuum source.